By Dave Doolittle | Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 06:40 AM
The World Motorsport Council kept a planned Austin race for Nov. 16-18 on the 2012 Formula One schedule this morning, and circuit officials say they have reached an agreement with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to keep the races in place for 10 years.
Ecclestone had said the council meeting in India would be the firm deadline for striking a deal with the track to host the Grand Prix next year. Ecclestone has not commented publicly on the Austin race today.
“Mr. Ecclestone received his check today for the USGP. We want to thank the fans supporting us, the local officials and businesses that have encouraged us, the state of Texas, Circuit of The Americas’ staff and Bernie himself,” Red McCombs, chairman of McCombs Enterprises and a founding partner in the circuit, said in a statement.
“Our investors have believed all along that this project has tremendous benefit for our region, and provides a strong economic engine for the future,” founding partner Bobby Epstein said in the statement. “We remain committed to reaching our goal of being valuable community partners as we establish a platform for sports and entertainment.
“We’re glad that Tavo’s vision of bringing F1 to the people of Texas will become a reality,” Epstein’s statement said, speaking of promoter Tavo Hellmund, who was a key player in bringing F1 plans to Austin.
“We have a substantial number of fans who have expressed interest in buying tickets and hospitality, so today is a win for all of them as much as it is for Circuit of The Americas,” Steve Sexton, president of Circuit of The Americas, said in the statement.
Three weeks ago uncertainty about the status of Austin’s Grand Prix caused work to be halted on the $300 million circuit being built in southeast Travis County.
The statement said construction on the 3.4-mile circuit and buildings would resume immediately.
Read the full statement here.